REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR & COMMISSIONERS OF THE VILLAGE OF TAMPICO
July 16, 2013, 7:00 PM
The regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council was called to order at 7:00 PM, July 16, 2013 in Tampico Village Hall by Mayor Kristine L. Hill.
Roll call was taken by Village Clerk Kathy Leathers, who also recorded the written minutes. Present were Commissioners Bruce Hill, Mary Jo Sigel and Carlos “Butch” McNinch. Commissioner Toby Johnson was absent.
Also present were Public Works Superintendent Tom Pierce and Village Police Officer Brian Oostenryk.
On a motion by Commissioner McNinch, second by Commissioner Sigel, a fence permit was granted to Dan Wiederin, 103 S. Washington St. “Yes” votes were Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
Matt Hansen, Willett, Hofmann & Associates, Inc., was present to update the council on the status of the recent infrastructure projects. Hansen advised the council, the contract on the Waste Water Treatment Plant Aeration System has been closed. He expects to have the contract on the West Market Street Lift Station Project closed within the next month. Hansen also handed out and discussed the Final Project Cost Summary. He reported to those present the final IEPA Loan Amounts. The costs for Contract #1 for the WWTP Aeration System amount is $242,614.53. Contract #2 for the West Market Lift Station amount is $241,094.00. Engineering Design for both projects is $70,114.00 with Engineering Construction Costs at $47,071.48. Hansen advised he also estimated the cost of interest charged by the IEPA during construction at around $1,500.00. The two projects will have a total cost of $602,394.01. Hansen reported the IEPA has granted the village a principal forgiveness grant in the amount of $103,564.00. He stated the Village has been fortunate since the State’s IEPA principal forgiveness funds are no longer available. Further review by Hansen showed the council the total IEPA loan amount. He said $602,394.01 less the principal forgiveness of $103,564.00, less the DCEO grant funds of $378,000.00 will leave only $120,830.01 for the Village to repay at approximately $7602.00 per year for twenty (20) years. The IEPA Loan the village is now paying back was for converting the sand beds at the Waste Water Treatment Plant to the aeration system. He advised that should be paid off in 6-7 years. Otherwise, he said, the Village has no outstanding debt.
Hansen went on to discuss the Sanitary Sewer System Improvements List previously compiled by his office. Hansen and Public Works Superintendent Pierce assessed the needs of the Village’s infrastructure back in February 2010. Of the six projects listed for the sewer portion, two are now complete and one other has been started. Jetting, cleaning and televising the sanitary sewer lines is allowing the village to find and possibly repair problem areas of the system before they become larger issues. Priority has been given to the older clay lines that can be relined if identified in time rather than having to resort to the more expensive excavation to repair them. Hansen told the Council they should again consider applying for DCEO grant monies. He stated several of the remaining to do list items could be grouped together such as improvements to the Kimball Street Lift Station and rehabbing the older, worn manholes.
Hansen stated since the water and sewer rates have been increased, maintenance of the 100 year old water system and the aging sewer system will be right on track. Hansen advised he will continue to work with the village as monies become available to help them realize the completion of their to do list. He said it is important that things on the water side are kept on the radar as well to avoid any future surprise issues there.
Al Morthland was present to ask the council what they were going to do when the new concealed carry gun law goes into effect. Those present advised him the state law will outline where guns will be permitted as far as entering state, federal or local government offices. Business owners will be allowed to develop their own policies. Commissioner Hill advised Morthland, it could even be a year before the law is in effect.
Local business owner, Bonnie Anderson, said she had an issue with her water over the weekend. She advised the water was an orange color and she had to clean black stuff out of the faucet screens. She was advised it was possible a hydrant had been flushed but the issue would be checked into.
Resident Derrick Maupin asked the council what will be done with the extra money from the higher water and sewer rates. Mayor Hill advised him it would be used to keep upgrading the water/sewer system. Maupin was concerned it would be spent on something else.
The Council learned Attorney Ron Coplan would be sending a follow-up letter to the downtown building owner the Village has been working with to resolve several issues with the Village’s Annex Building, such as water leaking from an older worn roof on the building in question. It has been allowing water to leak into the village owned property from a shared wall.
There were no recommendations for appointments or resignation of any Tampico Recreation Board Members.
Mayor Hill told the Council she would like to amend the Village’s fee structure to include liquor license fees rather than to keep amending the ordinance. She cited the cost of attorney fees and upgrading the village’s municipal code over and over again. She would like the council to take the cap off only allowing 2-Liquor Licenses per classification, such as only two “Class A” licenses are allowed. Commissioner Sigel stated she is not thrilled with the idea only because the village is so small. Mayor Hill told Sigel she understood her concerns, but doubted there would be a big rush on establishing more drinking establishments. Mayor Hill said she would like to give opportunities to coffee shops that would like to serve wine or a restaurant that would like to serve beer and/or wine along with dinner. Mayor Hill advised the Council would have final approval before such a license could be issued.
The next item to be discussed was changing the village municipal code to allow low speed vehicles such as golf carts on village streets. Mayor Hill stated the Police Department would review and approve stickers or permits for those interested in using golf carts, etc. Commissioner Hill is checking into golf cart crossing signs for Main Street. Since Main Street is also Illinois Route 172, low speed vehicles are not allowed to cross or operate on the highway.
On a motion by Commissioner Hill, second by Commissioner Sigel, a motion was made to approve a new 2-year street lighting contract with Constellation NewEnergy at a cost of $.03388. The new rate is still lower than what ComEd can offer at this time. “Yes” votes were Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
In the matter of street lights, Mayor Hill told those attending, ComEd is implementing a comprehensive plan to replace the village street lights’ current lighting with more energy efficient LED lighting. LED lighting is more energy efficient and cheaper to maintain.
Kate Fisk, Tampico Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, requested permission from the council to hold a Breast Cancer fund raiser in October. She advised it would be a spaghetti supper with 300 dinner tickets to be sold. She stated the tickets could run $15.00 each and purchased before the dinner and at the door. Mayor Hill stated it is a worthy cause. Mayor Hill also reported she understood the area’s “Pink Ride” in August will include Tampico this year. Bonnie Anderson asked the Council if it would be okay to put ribbons up and down the street. Anderson advised there are different ideas being thrown around in anticipation of the event. Mayor Hill stated it is a great event that helps a lot of people.
Mayor Hill held a short discussion on the Council Meetings schedule for August in light of vacations taken before school starts. She said for right now council members should plan on the next regular meeting being held on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 7:00 PM in Tampico Village Hall.
Bills were ordered paid on a motion by Commissioner McNinch, second by Commissioner Hill. “Yes” votes were Hill, Sigel, McNinch and Mayor Hill. The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM.
Kathy A. Leathers __________________
Clerk
Kristine L. Hill____________________
Mayor
MINUTES APPROVED THIS _6th__ DAY OF August_____, 2013
**These minutes are not official until signed, dated and sealed by the Village Clerk**
